Although many people didn't want to believe the renderings when they were unveiled by Jalopnik way back in November 2011, we all have been staring at the next generation C7 Corvette Stingray for over a year now. As we have gotten closer to today's launch of America's most famous sports car, further leaks confirmed that Jalopnik had indeed scored a major scoop and was dead-on with its design "predictions" for the 2014 Corvette Stingray.

The new vehicles won’t be mistaken for anything other than a Corvette, but some big design changes have been made. The wraparound “bubble” rear hatch has given way to a more traditional rear window/rear quarter windows arrangement. In addition, the four round taillight have been ditched in favor of a more integrated, Camaro-esque design.

General Motors was able to shave 99 pounds off the weigh of the vehicle through the greater use of aluminum, magnesium, and carbon fiber. The new chassis is also 57 percent stiffer than the outgoing C6 Corvette.

As we reported back in October, the new Corvette Stingray is powered by a new 6.2-liter LT1 OHV small-block V8 engine (450hp, 450 lb-ft of torque). However, in order to boost output and keep fuel efficiency in check, the new engine features direct injection, continuous variable valve timing, and cylinder deactivation. The engine can be paired with two new transmission choices: a 7-speed manual with active rev matching or a 6-speed automatic (blasphemy).

General Motors is promising a better power-to-weight ratio than the Porsche 911 and the Audi R8.

The new C7 Corvette Stingray will be able to rocket to 60 mph in under 4 seconds and will exceed the 26 mpg rating of the current vehicle on the highway.

“We believe the Corvette represents the future of modern performance cars because it delivers more power, more driving excitement and better fuel efficiency,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “The result is better performance by every measure. The 2014 Corvette delivers the fastest acceleration, the most cornering grip, the most track capability, the best braking performance and what we expect to be the best fuel economy ever for a standard Corvette.”

The C7 Corvette Stingray will be available in the third quarter of 2013.

Considering that the regular car has a removable roof already the weight gain to a full convertible is pretty small, if not less because glass weighs more than canvas. The handling compromise is nothing because the regular car already lacks a fixed roof.

But the B & C wont be there in a convertible. There will be some loss to the structural stiffness but cant imagine there would be much. Glass does weigh more, but the mechanism for the top adds weight so I imagine it will be a wash. Then again if you're getting a convertible, performance isn't your top goal either.

Sorry, should have been more clear. I wasnt talking about the roof panels. I was referring to the weight of the back glass. Yeah, I don't think there will be much of a weight penalty. Considering the frame is significantly stiffer in this iteration than the previous version, I don't see a lot of reinforcement needed for the lack of b/c pillars.

If you look at other cars, as the newer models come out, the convertible versions have had lower and lower structural and weight penalties. This car it will be even less so.

Like I said though, if you are getting a convertible, then performance isn't your only goal.